Vinay Bhardwaj on talk show Pehchaan: 'Couldn’t have anyone better than Mahesh Bhatt to host the show'

Mahesh Bhatt

When people across the world felt lost during the COVID-19-induced lockdown, producer Vinay Bhardwaj found inspiration in a book that, years later, led him to conceive Pehchaan - an unscripted inspirational talk show hosted by Mahesh Bhatt. The SonyLIV series, which dropped this April, features conversations with 13 voices from the Sikh community who have dedicated their lives to seva (service).

(L-R) Author Dr Prabhleen Singh, Mahesh Bhatt, and producer Vinay Bhardwaj. Pics/By Special Arrangement, Ashish Raje

"During COVID, Bhatt saab would often call to motivate me because it was a time when we all felt lost. He asked me to take this phase in my stride. That kept me going. Then I came across this book, Prominent Sikhs of India, by Dr Prabhleen Singh. It had stories of a few prominent Sikhs who've done a great service for humanity, especially in 1984," shares Bhardwaj. He began to question what drives people, who have seen the darker side of humanity, to serve others selflessly. "What made them go against all odds and serve humanity? I thought this was a gesture that needed to be talked about."

After four years of research, the show found its final push with Bhatt's entry. Having known him for long, Bhardwaj was familiar with the auteur's generosity. "He is someone who doesn't want to hog the limelight but believes in giving space and light to somebody who seeks it."

The accidental host

Vinay Bhardwaj says getting Mahesh Bhatt on board was accidental. "When I went to buy the book's rights, I requested Bhatt saab to call the [author in advance] to convince them of their cause. The call opened those people up and they spoke their hearts out to them. We couldn't have anyone better than him to host the show."